Plastic clothes hanger

ABSTRACT

The hanger includes a plastic body with a top edge. A member to which the hook is attached extends above the top edge of the body and has a triangular opening designed to receive a fastening device such that a plurality of like designed hangers can be connected together. The locking clips associated with pairs of garment gripping jaws are provided with protrusions that cooperate with edges on the moveable jaws to retain same in the open position.

[0001] The present invention relates to hangers for supporting articles of clothing or the like and more particularly to an improved plastic clothes hanger that accommodates a fastening device, such that a plurality of the hangers can be easily joined together, and which includes a simple mechanism that retains the garment gripping jaws of the hanger in the open position to facilitate insertion of an article of clothing therebetween.

[0002] Wire hangers are widely used in the laundry and dry cleaning industries because they are strong, lightweight and inexpensive. Such hangers include a horizontal wire portion upon which garments may be supported. However, because the wire portion is so thin, and the metal surface of the wire is so smooth, garments often fall off the horizontal wire portion of the hanger.

[0003] To prevent the garment from falling off, a cardboard sleeve, often with a sticky exterior surface, is sometimes situated around the horizontal wire portion. The sleeve works adequately for some garments, but skirts, pants, shorts or the like cannot be easily supported in this fashion.

[0004] Accordingly, inexpensive plastic clips, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,159,730, entitled “Resilient Clip”, issued on Nov. 3, 1992 to Radvin, and in U.S. Pat. No. Design 426,767, entitled “Resilient Clip”, issued to Meyers on Nov. 3, 1992, have been developed. These clips are designed to be received on the opposite ends of the horizontal wire portion of the hanger. The clips have a generally shaped “U” configuration, including aligned gripping jaws that are normally spaced apart. The jaws lock together to retain a section of a garment therebetween, such that the garment is suspended below the hanger.

[0005] Wire hangers can be connected together using a fastening device, such as a twist tie. The twist tie is inserted through the in the hangers and the ends are twisted to form a loop. Laundries and dry cleaners connect hangers together when related garments are supported on different hangers, such as garments belonging to the same customer, or garments being processed in the same batch.

[0006] Recently, hangers having a body made of elastic attached to a metal hook have become inexpensive enough to be used instead of wire hangers by laundries and dry cleaners. The plastic body of the hanger is provided with aligned pairs of garment gripping jaws at each end, similar in function to the resilient clips used on wire hangers. One jaw in each pair is fixed in the plane of the hanger body. The other jaw in each pair is attached by a “living hinge” such that it can be moved to an open position, remote from the aligned fixed jaw, to permit insertion of a section of the garment therebetween. A generally “U” shaped metal clip is received over each pair of jaws to lock the jaws together in the closed position to retain the garment between the jaws. The inside surfaces of the jaws are often provided with protruding teeth to increase the gripping action of the jaws.

[0007] These plastic hangers are more desirable than the wire hangers in many ways, but they have two disadvantages. First, they cannot easily be connected together by a fastening device, unless the fastening device is used to encircle the hooks. However, encircling the hooks with a fastening device does not maintain correct alignment between the hanger bodies. Consequently, the connected hangers cannot be easily handled or packaged in plastic film as a unit.

[0008] Second, because of the nature of the “living hinge” type connection of the moveable jaws, the jaws do not stay open wide enough to receive the garment but instead the moveable jaws tend to move back towards the closed position, even after the jaws are unlocked. Thus, the user must use one hand to keep the jaws open as the garment is inserted between the jaws. This is awkward and makes the garment mounting procedure difficult and time consuming.

[0009] It is, therefore, a prime object of the present invention to provide an improved plastic clothes hanger with a plastic body that can be easily connected to hangers of like design using a simple fastening device.

[0010] It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved plastic clothes hanger with a body which includes gripping jaw pairs that are retained in the open position to facilitate insertion of a garment therebetween.

[0011] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a hanger is provided having a hook and a plastic body for supporting an article of clothing or the like. The body has a top edge. The hook is attached to a member that extends above the top edge of the body. The member includes an opening extending through the member. The opening is adapted to accept a fastening device.

[0012] Preferably, the opening has a substantially triangular shape and extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of the member. A second opening may be provided in the member. The second opening also extends through the member in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of the member.

[0013] The member has a first part defining a recess adapted to receive the hook. The first part has an end proximate the top edge of the body and an end remote from the top edge of the body. The member has a second part having an end proximate the top edge of the body and an end remote from the top edge of the body. The opening is situated between the first and said second parts of the member.

[0014] The remote end of the first part and the remote end-of the second part are proximate each other. The proximate end of the first part and the proximate end of the second part are spaced from each other, along the top edge of the body.

[0015] The member includes a third part. The third part has an end proximate the top edge of the body and an end remote from the top edge of the body. The second opening is situated between the first part and the third part.

[0016] The remote ends of the first, second and third parts are proximate each other. The proximate ends of the first, second and third parts are spaced from each other along the top edge of the body.

[0017] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a combination of a hanger and a fastening device is provided. The hanger includes a hook and a plastic body for supporting an article of clothing or the like. The hook is attached to a member extending above the top edge of the body. The member includes an opening. The opening is adapted to receive the fastening device.

[0018] The fastening device preferably takes the form of a twist tie.

[0019] The opening extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of the member. The member is coplanar with the body.

[0020] A second opening extending through the member may also be provided. The second opening is adapted to receive a fastening device, as well.

[0021] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a hanger is provided having a hook and a plastic body for supporting an article of clothing or the like. The hanger has a first jaw fixedly mounted to the body and a second jaw mounted to the body, in alignment with the first jaw, for movement between a closed position, proximate the first jaw, and an open position, remote from the first jaw. Locking means are associated with the jaws. The locking means is moveable relative to the jaws between a first position, wherein the second jaw is locked in its closed position and a second position, wherein the second jaw can be moved to its open position. Means are provided for retaining the second jaw in its open position.

[0022] The retaining means includes an opening defined in part by an edge on the second jaw. A protrusion on the locking means cooperates with the edge of the opening to retain the second jaw in its open position.

[0023] The protrusion has an inclined side. The inclined side of the protrusion facilitates the passage of the protrusion over the edge, as the second jaw is moved toward its open position.

[0024] The hanger also includes an opening extending through the body. The hanger is designed for use with a fastening device which extends through the opening. The opening is proximate the portion of the body attached to the hook.

[0025] To those and other such objects that may hereinafter appear, the present invention relates to an improved plastic clothes hanger, as described in detail in the following specification, and recited in the attached claims, taken together with the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals refer to like parts, and in which:

[0026]FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a prior art plastic hanger;

[0027]FIG. 2 is an enlarged end view of the prior art hanger of FIG. 1, showing the jaws in the closed position and the locking member in the lock position;

[0028]FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the hanger of the present invention;

[0029]FIG. 4 is a top view of the hanger of FIG. 3;

[0030]FIG. 5 is an enlarged side view of the jaws of the hanger of FIG. 3, shown in the closed position, with the locking member in the locked position;

[0031]FIG. 6 is an enlarged end view of the jaws, taken also of line 6-6 of FIG. 5;

[0032]FIG. 7 is a view similar to that of FIG. 5, but showing the jaws in the open position and the locking member in the unlocked position;

[0033]FIG. 8 is an enlarged end view of the jaws, taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 7; and

[0034]FIG. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary section of three of the hangers connected together with a twist tie.

[0035]FIGS. 1 and 2 show a prior art hanger, generally designed A, with a solid plastic clothes supporting body 10 and a metal hook 12. Body 10 has a top edge 14. Body 10 includes a generally triangular portion 16. Portion 16 includes a part 18, extending substantially perpendicular to edge 14. Part 18 and has a recess into which the lower portion of hook 12 is rotatably received. Portion 16 includes edges 20 and 22. Edges 20 and 22 extend in oppositely inclined directions, from spaced points on top edge 14, to the top of part 18. Between part 18 and edge 20 is solid plastic body portion 24. Between edge 22 and part 20 is solid plastic body portion 26.

[0036] On either end of body 10 are pairs of aligned gripping jaws 28, 30 and 32, 34. The purpose of the jaws is to retain sections of a garment such that the garment can be suspended below body 10. One jaw 30, 34 in each pair is fixed to body 10 and situated in the plane of body 10. The other jaw 28, 32 of each pair is attached to body 10 by a “living hinge” 36, 38.

[0037] Each of the jaws 28, 32 is movable relative to the fixed jaw 30, 34 in its pair between a closed position, proximate the aligned fixed jaw, and an open position, remote from the aligned fixed jaw. The closed position is illustrated in FIG. 2

[0038] A jaw locking member, in the form of a generally “U” shaped metal clip 40, 42, is associated with each of the jaw pairs, respectively. Clips 40, 42 are moveable relative to the jaws between a “locked” position, adjacent the top of the jaws, wherein the jaws are locked in their closed position, as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, an “unlocked” position, spaced from the top of the jaws, wherein the jaws can be opened. When the clip is in the “unlocked” position, the moveable jaw may be moved to an open position, remote the fixed jaw, to permit insertion of a section of a garment between the jaws. The interior surfaces of one or both of the jaws may be provided with protruding teeth 44 to enhance the grip of the jaws, when the jaws are closed on the garment.

[0039] FIGS. 3 thru 9 show the hanger A′ of the present invention. Hanger A′ of the present invention differs from prior art hanger A in two important ways.

[0040] The first novel aspect of hanger A′ relates to the ability to connect the hangers together. Our invention permits two or more hangers A′ to be connected together by a fastening device, shown on FIG. 7 as a convention twist tie 46.

[0041] Hanger A′ is provided with a member 50 which extends above top edge 14 of plastic body 10. Member 50 is preferably coplanar with body 10. Member 50 is formed of a hook receiving part 52, similar to part 18 of the prior art hanger, and parts 54 and 56, which form a triangular structure.

[0042] Triangular shaped openings 58, 60 are defined between parts 52 and 54, and between parts 52, 56, respectively. Openings 58, 60 extend through member 50, in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of the member. Each of the openings 58, 60 is adapted to receive a fastening device, such as twist tie 46. Only a single fastening device, as illustrated in FIG. 9, is required to connect two or more hangers A′ together. Other types of fastening devices may be used instead of twist ties, as long as they can fit through the openings.

[0043] A second novel aspect of hanger A′ relates to with the structure of the moveable jaws and the locking clip. In hanger A′, clips 40′ and 42′ are modified by forming a protrusion or detent 62, 64, respectively, on the exterior surface of the front leg of the clip, as seen in FIGS. 5 thru 8. Each of the jaw pairs 28′, 30′, and 32′; 34′ is provided with an opening 66, 68, respectively, along its hinge 36′, 38′. Each opening 66, 68 is defined in part by an edge 70, 72, respectively, on the moveable jaw 28′, 32′. The protrusion 62, 64 on each clip 40′, 42′ cooperates with the edge 70, 72 of the opening 66, 68, respectively on moveable jaws 28′, 32′, such as the jaw is moved to its open position, remote from the aligned fixed jaw of the pair, edge 70, 72 moves over the protrusion 62, 64 such that the moveable jaw is retained in its open position, as shown in FIG. 8.

[0044] The sides of protrusions 62, 64 are inclined to facilitate the edge moving over the protrusion. In this way, the jaw pairs are retained in the open position to permit the garment to be inserted therebetween. The jaws are then closed by moving each moveable jaw to its closed position, and locking the jaw in the closed position by moving the locking clip from the “unlocked” to the “lock” position.

[0045] It will now be appreciated that the present invention relates to an improved plastic clothes hanger which can be used with a fastening device so that it can be easily connected to other hangers of like design. It also includes a means for retaining the garment gripping jaws in their open position.

[0046] While only a single preferred embodiment of the present invention has been disclosed for purposes of illustration, it is obvious that many variations and modifications could be made thereto. It is intended to cover all of these variations and modifications which fall within the scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims: 

We claim:
 1. A hanger comprising a hook and a plastic body for supporting an article of clothing or the like, said body having a top edge and comprising a member extending above said top surface to which said hook is attached, said member having an opening extending through said member, adapted to accept a fastening device.
 2. The hanger of claim 1 wherein said opening extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of said member.
 3. The hanger of claim 1 wherein said opening has a substantially triangular shape.
 4. The hanger of claim 1 wherein said member comprises a first part defining a recess adapted to receive said hook, said first part having an end proximate said top body edge and an end remote from said top body edge and a second part having an end proximate said top body edge and an end remote from said top body edge, said opening being situated between said first and said second parts.
 5. The hanger of claim 4 wherein said remote end of said first part and said remote end of said second part are proximate each other.
 6. The hanger of claim 4 wherein said proximate end of said first part and said proximate end of said second part are spaced from each other along said top body edge.
 7. The hanger of claim I further comprising a second opening through said member, said second opening being adapted to accept a fastening device.
 8. The hanger of claim 4 further comprising a second opening through said member, said second opening being adapted to accept a fastening device.
 9. The hanger of claim 8 wherein said member comprises a third part having an end proximate said top body edge and an end remote from said top body edge, said second opening being situated between said first and third parts.
 10. The hanger of claim 9 wherein said remote ends of said first, second and third parts are proximate each other.
 11. The hanger of claim 9 wherein said proximate ends of said first, second and third parts are spaced from each other along said top edge of said body.
 12. The hanger of claim 7 wherein said first and second openings extend in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of said member.
 13. In combination, a hanger and a fastening device, said hanger comprising a hook and a plastic body for supporting an article of clothing or the like, said body having a top edge and comprising a member extending above said top edge, said member comprising an opening adapted to receive said fastening device.
 14. The combination of claim 13 wherein said opening extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of said member.
 15. The combination of claim 13 further comprising a second opening extending through said member.
 16. The combination of claim 15 wherein said member comprises a hook receiving part and wherein said openings are located on opposite sides of said hook receiving part.
 17. A hanger comprising a hook and a body for supporting an article of clothing or the like, said body comprising a first jaw fixedly mounted to said body, a second jaw mounted to said body, in alignment with said first jaw, for movement between a closed position, proximate said first jaw, and an open position, remote from said first jaw, and a generally “U” shaped locking member associated with said jaws and moveable relative thereto between a first position, wherein said second jaw is locked in its closed position and a second position, wherein said second jaw may be moved toward its open position, and means for retaining said second jaw in said open position.
 18. The hanger of claim 17 wherein said retaining means comprises an opening defined in part by an edge on said second jaw and wherein said locking means comprises a protrusion on said locking means adapted to cooperate with said edge of said opening to retain said second jaw in said open position.
 19. The hanger of claim 18 wherein said protrusion has an inclined side adapted to facilitate the passage of said protrusion over said edge, as said jaw is moved towards said open position.
 20. The hanger of claim 17 further comprising an opening extending through said body.
 21. The hanger of claim 20 further comprising a member to which said hook is attached, wherein said opening extends through said member.
 22. The hanger of claim 17 for use in combination with a fastening device, said hanger further comprising a fastening receiving opening.
 23. The combination of claim 22 wherein said opening has a triangular shape.
 24. The combination of claim 20 wherein said opening has a triangular shape. 